Issue 36 – 25, February 2, 2025
Tariff Wars Have Arrived
Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, issued the following statement Yesterday:
Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs are an attack on Canadian workers and our economy.
With 2.4 million jobs tied directly or indirectly to trade with the U.S., these tariffs put industries, families, and entire communities at risk. But Canada’s unions know how to respond and have solutions. Canada must take decisive action to protect workers and push back against these harmful policies. The United States must feel immediate pain for their actions aimed at harming the Canadian economy and its workers.
The Canadian Labour Congress is calling for a comprehensive response that includes:
The federal government has taken a first step by considering income supports for affected workers—an approach that helped stabilize our economy during the pandemic. But much more is needed to meet the scale of this threat. A suite of measures to preserve jobs and manufacturing capacity, protections for distressed borrowers, and robust income supports are needed to ensure that workers and our communities can weather this storm.
For generations, Canada and the U.S. have built a relationship based on mutual respect, economic partnership, and cross-border solidarity. If this is how Trump treats his closest ally, no country is safe from his reckless economic policies.
Recent polling shows that Canadians overwhelmingly support strong action:
Workers expect leaders to stand up for them. This is a pivotal moment for Canada to come together with a bold plan to protect jobs, strengthen industries, and create new opportunities for workers. The labour movement will always mobilize, organize, and push for solutions that secure livelihoods, support communities, and drive sustainable economic growth.
As of yesterday, the federal government has responded with a retaliatory 25% tariffs on $155B worth of US goods, with $30B being implemented immediately, and the remainder in 21 days. He also said Canadians could do their part by avoiding purchasing US-made products or from US chains.
Nova Scotia announced doubling of tolls for commercial vehicles from the US as of Monday, removal US alcohol from provincial liquor stores by Tuesday, and restricting US bidders on procurement and explore cancelling existing contracts.
British Columbia, NDP Government in Provincial liquor stores will stop purchasing US liquor from red states, and government departments and crown corporations will prioritize Canadian goods and services in procurement.
Doug Ford Conservative leader in Ontario, the Ontario Premier until February 27th, spent time on US television pleading with Americans that Ontario wants to sell our goods to the US.
Read more - No one wins a trade war - by Angella MacEwen
February is Black History Month
“Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations”, is the theme for 2025.
The month of February gives us all the chance to celebrate the diversity and achievements of Black people in Canada.
Canada’s unions are marking Black History Month by highlighting the crucial role unions play in advancing racial and economic justice for Black workers.
Black workers in Canada experience ongoing labour market discrimination and systemic racism—severe obstacles which impact their access to fair employment, advancement, and equitable treatment at work.
On Tuesday, February 18th, the Canadian Labour Congress will be hosting Black labour leaders in a virtual conversation about what Black workers are up against, and how unions can make an important difference.
The Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, welcomed a second International Decade for People of African Descent that was adopted on December 17, 2024. Canada co-sponsored this proposal, which will span from January 2025 to December 2034 and serve as an opportunity to further Canada’s efforts to empower and improve the well-being of Black communities.
Register for the CLC Webinar - https://us02web.zoom.us/
Read More - The Government of Canada announces the theme for Black History Month 2025 - Canada.ca
Read more - Factsheet on the issues Black workers are facing and how unions help address them
Buy Union Buy Canadian revival?
One of the most impactful ways for union retirees can fight back right now is by choosing products made by Canadian union workers.
The UFCW, represents many workers in food production and grocery stores, has responded with a list of Canadian made products to purchase in place of US products, to help for us to buy Canadian.
Find Canadian Products - list of Canadian-made products